Douglass Township board adopts new employee handbook, authorizes zoning‑ordinance hearing and several staff and capital actions

The Douglass Township Board of Supervisors on July 21 adopted an updated employee handbook, authorized a public hearing on a comprehensive zoning ordinance update, and approved several staffing and capital‑project steps.

Solicitor Wendy McKenna presented the revised employee handbook and said it replaces the prior handbook; the board adopted Resolution #07212025‑01 by unanimous vote after a motion by Vice‑Chair Sara Carpenter and a second by Chairman Josh Stouch. Resident Paul Skok questioned why the public had no input; Manager Andrew Duncan and Solicitor McKenna said the handbook aligns with Pennsylvania labor law and copies will be produced after adoption.

The vote to authorize advertisement of a public hearing on a roughly 300‑page zoning ordinance update followed a recommendation from the Planning Agency and its open house; Manager Andrew Duncan and Solicitor McKenna asked the board to authorize advertising once the Montgomery County Planning Agency completes its review, and the board approved the authorization unanimously.

Police Chief Robert Evans presented June statistics — including 609 calls for service, 48 traffic citations and two criminal arrests — and asked the board to remove Officer Mark Delaney from his one‑year probationary status. The board approved Delaney’s removal (motion by Chairman Josh Stouch, second by Supervisor Don Bergstresser). Chief Evans also told the board he wanted the township to replace a budgeted part‑time position with a full‑time officer; the board authorized him to advertise for one full‑time police officer (motion by Bergstresser, second by Stouch).

Chief Evans reported the township’s stationary license‑plate reader is now functional and, over an initial roughly 18‑hour period, read about 18,000 plates and produced nearly 600 alerts. When asked by resident Mr. Skok about immigration‑related enforcement, Chief Evans said the department has not been contacted about ICE activity and that the district attorney’s office directs the department not to get involved.

Treasurer Cynthia O’Donnell asked for authorization to pay unpaid bills totaling $417,067.46; the board approved payment unanimously. O’Donnell also reported recent grant reimbursements received by the township: $278,558 for a paver, $80,880 for tennis/pickleball work, $161,420 under a Recycling 902 grant for an excavator, and $24,452 under a Recycling 904 grant. She reported PMRS excess interest of $171,385 for uniform employees and $62,356 for non‑uniform employees.

Manager Andrew Duncan briefed the board on several capital and administrative matters. The board approved a one‑year extension and a 2026 cost‑of‑living increase for the Waste Management contract. Duncan reported the County Line Road Bridge project has about 80% of construction costs covered, that the township applied for a $200,000 DCED Multimodal grant, that all easements and permitting are in hand, and that officials expect to put the bridge out to bid in November or December with completion targeted for about October 2026. The board authorized staff to place administration‑building renovation documents out for bid per USDA requirements and also authorized the township engineer and staff to evaluate a grass swale at Oak Street/Aspen Lane in response to a DEP complaint about drainage.

Engineer Greg Kerr recommended expiration of the 18‑month maintenance periods for the Stafy I and Stafy II developments (maintenance periods began 12/23/2023 and expired last month); he reported no pending issues and the board accepted the engineer’s report. Roadmaster Michael Heydt presented routine public‑works activity and the board accepted that report. Emergency responders reported monthly activity: Gilbertsville Fire & Rescue had 27 calls in June (18 in Douglass Township) and noted a fundraiser scheduled for Sept. 27; Gilbertsville Area Community Ambulance Service and Bally Community Ambulance also reported their monthly call volumes.

During public comment, resident John Renninger asked township staff to investigate a neighbor’s fence, a possible shed setback violation, bright flood lights and cameras pointed at his home; Chairman Stouch said staff would look into the issue. Stouch also requested that a possible amendment to the township’s police pension (PMRS) — to permit enrollment on date of hire rather than after one year — be placed on the next board agenda. The meeting adjourned at 8:33 p.m.

This article is based on proceedings at the Douglass Township Board of Supervisors meeting on July 21, 2025.